Every once in a while, an opportunity presents itself that looks too good to be true. Tonight was one such occasion. The big SEC clash between Alabama and LSU went to overtime, tied at 21.
The over / under was 48.5. Now college overtime rules are different to the NFL, with each team alternating possessions until there is a leader. LSU went first and failed to score which meant that all Alabama had to do to win was score.
A field goal would have resulted in unders, and so would a touchdown since the game is over as soon as the touchdown is given. There is no extra point.
So when Alabama scored a TD, and there was money available at 2 and incredibly later at 6, I was all over it. The call of a TD was reviewed, which is why discretion saw me lay off some at 1.06, (just in case - the TD looked good!) but a very sweet and unexpected win at the expense of someone who needs to learn the rules before getting involved.
Sorry - I know I shouldn't gloat, but sometimes I get carried away.
I thought the same was true in NFL. First score wins the game in overtime.
ReplyDeleteThe Gambler.
No - college is different. Equal possessions until someone is ahead. Probably fairer than the NFL actually, where the toss becomes so important, but the lesson is - Learn The Rules before betting! Good luck
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful play Cassini - it re-emphasises the reason I don't get involved with markets I don't understand fully.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Mark
Im a little confused. Obviously a mistake was made by whoever was offering the odds but it doesnt appear to be because they thought the rules were like the NFL. If they did think that, then effectively, the 2nd posession of OT WAS like the NFL rules. Depends when the 2.0 and 6.0 (on Unders) was taken. If it was before Alabama started their drive, then the 2.0 is a mistake, but not that much of a mistake as if they score, then theres still chances of multiple scores.
ReplyDeleteI think in this case, someone thought that the TD was worth 7 points - either they forgot that a TD is 6 points plus a point after or didn't know that the extra point wouldn't be taken. Agreed - the different rules between college and NFL was likely not the reason for my win. The first 2.0 was taken before the Alabama TD, when I figured that even if they failed to score a TD, they would simply kick an easy field goal. The 6.0 appeared AFTER the TD, presumably the layer thinking that 7 points were in the bag. Or of course their math skills failed them. The only chance of multiple scores was if Alabama came up empty, but this was never a 50/50 shot given that they were so close.
ReplyDeleteCheers mate, that makes a lot more sense. I was under the impression you were implying the differing NFL rules on OT to explain the mistake. Your absolutely right though that the price offered was cracking value for you to take (especially the 6.0!) The 2.0 would be about right if Alabama started within their own 5yr line but anywhere further forward and the distinct chance of the field goal should demolish the odds of unders. I agree by the way, that way of OT is better then the NFL's.
ReplyDeleteI guess mentioning the difference in rules did confuse things. It's only fairly recently that the NFL adopted college football's 2 point conversion option, so maybe one day they'll use the fairer OT method. Of course, they could always just call it a draw and count it as half a win for regular season games!
ReplyDeleteSurely every football fans know this rule in overtime. This post are good for newbies. :)
ReplyDelete